Texas Tech 20, TCU 10
A 19-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Davis Webb gave the Texas Tech Red Raiders a 17-10 lead late in the fourth quarter, leading to a 20-10 win over No. 24 TCU in Lubbock Thursday night. Webb, who replaced starter Baker Mayfield due to injury midway through the game-winning drive, was the most effective quarterback in Thursday night's game, going 3/4 for 77 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.
After early fireworks, the game unexpectedly devolved into a slugfest. Tech opened the scoring with a Mayfield 50-yard touchdown pass to halfback Kenny Williams, giving the Red Raiders a 7-0 lead after barely more than a minute. The Red Raiders added a field goal late in the first quarter, and took their 10-0 advantage to the locker room at halftime. TCU kicked a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter, and a B.J. Catalon 17-yard touchdown run tied the score with less than seven minutes to play.
With less than six minutes to play, Webb completed an apparent touchdown pass to DeAndre Washington, but Washington dropped the ball in celebration before crossing the goal line.
Tech got the ball back at the half-yard line, and two penalties pushed the Red Raiders back to the TCU 20 yard line. On third and goal, Webb connected with Bradley Marquez in the corner of the end zone. Tech added a late field goal.
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin struggled to guide the Horned Frogs offense. Boykin completed 23 of 36 pass attempts, but managed just 194 yards and threw a pair of interceptions. Tech quarterback Baker Mayfield was not much better, managing just 21/40 passing for 216 yards, one score and three interceptions.
The game was marred by a number of costly penalties on the Horned Frogs. TCU was penalized 13 times for 115 yards, including an improper fair catch call that nullified a punt return touchdown by Brandon Carter.
The Horned Frogs were also hit with a phantom fair catch interference call on a late punt that apparently hit a Texas Tech player:
Later in the same series, Texas Tech apparently fumbled the ball, but the runner was ruled down by contact. Before the officials could commence a review, Tech ran a play. The officials nullified the second play, reviewed the fumble, inexplicably ruled that the call on the field stands, then reinstated the second play. The series eventually led to the final field goal, giving the Red Raiders their 10-point margin of victory.
For its part, Texas Tech was flagged 10 times for 90 yards.
Also, a wild fox entered the field during the third quarter. Because Lubbock.
Tulane 24, Louisiana Tech 15
The Green Wave of Tulane knocked off Louisiana Tech 24-15 in Ruston Thursday night. Tulane overcame a 9-7 halftime deficit with 17 unanswered points to start the second half, including a Nick Montana 38-yard touchdown pass and Orleans Darkwa two-yard plunge. A Ryan Higgins touchdown pass brought the Bulldogs back within nine points with 3:44 to play, but Tulane successfully ran out the clock.
Montana finished 20/36 for 235 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Darkwa ran 20 times for 68 yards. Rob Kelley added 87 rushing yards on just nine carries, including a 34-yard run. Ryan Grant and Xavier Rush each had a touchdown reception for the Green Wave, now 2-1 on the season.
Louisiana Tech's offense, one of the nation's best last year, struggled mightily Thursday. Quarterback Scotty Young completed just 9/28 for 108 yards. Backup Ryan Higgins was arguably worse, going 7/16 for 57 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tevin King ran 14 times for 88 yards, and also led the team with 40 yards receiving. Louisiana Tech falls to 1-2 on the campaign.
The two Louisiana teams, now both members of Conference USA, had not met since 1998. Tulane is now 9-0 all-time against its infrequent in-state rival.
Arkansas State 41, Troy 34
A Fredi Knighten 13-yard touchdown run with 3:56 to play gave Arkansas State a 41-34 win over Troy in a back-and-forth shootout Thursday night. The two Sun Belt powerhouses combined for 1,153 total yards of offense, including 815 passing yards, but four turnovers did in the Trojans.
The Red Wolves scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, building a 20-7 lead. Troy answered back with two scores in the second quarter, including a last-second touchdown pass from Corey Robinson to Eric Thomas. The teams alternated touchdowns through the second half, with Arkansas State scoring last.
Arkansas State quarterback Adam Kennedy went 20/34 for 282 passing yards and a touchdown. Michael Gordon racked up 115 rushing yards on just eight carries, a staggering 14.4 yards per carry average. David Oku added 74 yards on 21 rushes. Each had a pair of touchdowns. Senior receiver Allen Muse caught six passes for 158 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown catch.
Robinson finished 30/51 for 371 yards and two touchdowns for the Trojans, but threw three crucial interceptions. Change-of-pace quarterback Deon Anthony went 5/6 for 110 yards and a touchdown. Eric Thomas caught six passes for 125 yards and a score. Bryan Holmes added 117 yards on six catches, also recording a touchdown. Troy falls to 2-1 on the year.
More from SB Nation:
Follow @SBNationCFB Follow @SBNRecruiting
•Solving Johnny Manziel: Chris "Smart Football" Brown on Bama-A&M
•Tons more Alabama-Texas A&M coverage
• Your full weekend TV schedule, including non Bama-A&M games!
• Yahoo! Sports shows evidence of agent money in the SEC
• Would coaches rather replace Mack Brown or Lane Kiffin?
• Today’s college football news headlines